A motor museum in the countryside filled with charabancs and vintage cars isn't the most likely spot to find a ground-breaking initiative to tackle youth crime.

But young offenders in Wiltshire have been thrown a lifeline by the trustees of the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum, near Calne.

The youngsters, all of whom have run off the rails at school or been in trouble with the police, are getting back on track with the help of a vintage Rolls Royce and a helping of patience from the dedicated band of mechanics.

Museum trustees have given up their time to work with, support and educate the young people by getting them to do constructive jobs at the motor museum.

Organisers said the lure of the elegant vintage cars had kept the youngsters – some of whom had been before the courts and looked like they were heading for a life of crime – entranced, in addition to the sense of purpose they get from contributing to the museum.

The scheme was set up by local council chiefs, the police and the museum with funding from the area's Community Safety Partnership.

"The project is about providing demanding and controlled work experience, developed around the every day working tasks that are needed to keep the museum presentable to the general public," said the county council's police youth justice worker, Julie Higdon.

"The success of the project has been outstanding, exceeding all expectations from my initial thoughts. The attendance and enthusiasm of the young people has been exceptional and well-supported by the agencies involved."

The project started in November and yesterday was award time, with ITV presenter Chris Searle giving out certificates to those who achieved so much during their time there.

The project involved everything from checking tyre pressures to a team-building exercise in building and fitting out a workshop.

PCSO Ali Duncan, from Chippenham, said: "I'm pleased with the result so far, the project has gone really well and I would be happy to be involved again."

The museum houses such classics as a 1934 Alvis Speed 20, a 1951 Dennis fire engine and a Daimler EL24, as well as everything from vintage Rolls Royces to rare Norton motorcycles.